The Collembola and Acarina of Uncultivated Soil

Abstract

Quantitative composition of collembolan and acarid community of uncultivated old grassland at Glasgow is described In most cases population density of 0-3 in. layer of soil was significantly greater than that in 3-9 in. stratum. Rhodacaridae (Acarina), and Onychiurus spp. (Collembola) were particularly abundant in lower stratum. Horizontal distribution of animals is not random. Seasonal fluctuations of Collembola may be attributed directly to climatic conditions but seasonal fluctuations of Oribatei were due in part to movements associated with reproductive cycle.